PUBLIC WORKSHOPS ON SMART GROWTH TO BE HELD

A series of public workshops on Smart Growth will be held May 2-4 as part of Mayor Jeremy Harris’ effort to build a sustainable island.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made it possible for eight nationally recognized Smart Growth proponents to come to Honolulu for the workshops. Local developers, landowners, design professionals and interested community leaders are welcome to attend the workshops which will focus on refining the Ewa Development Plan and the Kapolei Urban Design Plan.

The concept of Smart Growth arose in response to the negative aspects of urban sprawl. Communities across the nation are examining the economic costs of abandoning infrastructure in the city core only to rebuild it further out at an increased cost to agriculture and wilderness areas.

The Smart Growth concept is being spurred by demographic shifts, a strong environmental ethic, increased fiscal concerns and more sophisticated public views on growth. As a result, communities are considering walkable, mixed use neighborhoods, increased mobility options and protection of important natural and historic resources.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

Sunday, May 2: Small discussion group sessions for Ewa landowners and developers, 1 to 4 p.m., Campbell Building, Marketing Room, Kapolei

Monday, May 3: Managing Director Benjamin B. Lee, FAIA, will open a forum on Smart Growth regional issues and principles as they relate to the Ewa Plain, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kapolei Hale Conference Room.

Tuesday, May 4: Workshop on Smart Growth issues and improvements to the urban design plan for Kapolei, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Campbell Building Conference Room, Kapolei.

Tuesday, May 4: Open forum on general Smart Growth strategies, 6 to 8 p.m., Hanauma Bay Marine Education Center.

Mayor Harris said, “This is a rare opportunity to listen to people who have actually been involved in projects that reflect Smart Growth principles. We hope all those interested in planning issues in Ewa and Kapolei will attend these sessions.”

The Smart Growth team includes:

James Jacoby, CEO of Jacoby Development Inc. which is developing a mixed use project in Atlanta, Georgia
Brian Leary, Vice President of Jacoby Development, Inc.
Harrison Rue, Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission.
James Charlier, AICP, Principal of Charlier Associates, an authority of Smart Growth transportation principles.
Dena Balzer, Principal of Strategic Economics, Inc., an urban economist who will cover the financing aspects of Smart Growth projects.
Will Shroeer, U.S. EPA Office
Geoff Anderson, U.S. EPA Office, Washington, D.C.
Richard E. Holt, Principal of Holt & Everhart Inc. which has developed several mixed use projects
Bob Odermatt, FAIA, Berkeley, California
Francis Oda, FAIA, Principal of Group 70 International
John V. Carey, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program

The workshops are sponsored by the City Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), the Estate of James Campbell, the Urban Land Institute Hawaii, the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant Center for Smart Building and Community Design, the University of Hawaii School of Architecture and the Board of Water Supply.

Eric Crispin, DPP Director, said, “While Honolulu’s policies and plans reflect good Smart Growth principles, we have yet to see serious commitment to them. Implementation of these principles, particularly in our urban core areas such as the Primary Urban Center and Kapolei have not moved forward as quickly as we would like. We look forward to hearing the Smart Growth Team’s suggestions on how to create the necessary setting for this to happen—whether it be tax incentives, changes to our zoning code or addressing financing obstacles.”

For more information, contact the Department of Planning and Permitting at

523-4433.

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Thursday, April 29, 2004